The Art of Alien Isolation Hardback Review

To coincide with Creative Assembly’s terrifying take on the Alien franchise, Titan Books have released The Art of Alien Isolation, that features extensive behind the scenes commentary from both the artists and creators as well as never-before-seen concept art and 3D renders. If you are already familiar with Titan Books who publish a spectacular range of hardback books to accompany popular game launches, The Art of Alien Isolation is in a familiar style with a Special Edition available signed by artist, Bradley Wright. Compiled by its author, Andy McVittie – this stunning collection of art will be sure to impress fans of the Alien Isolation game that is available in stores right now!

The Art of Alien Isolation will take readers on a journey into the art production of the game itself that focuses on the events fifteen years after the original plot of the classic Alien movie. Containing a stunning display of concept art with detailed creator commentary through-out you will have a comprehensive insight into the Alien world and the Sevastopol Space Station, now a deserted unit home to the chilling Xenomorph’s. Chapters of the book are broken down into Character’s, Weapons, the Space Station, the Xenomorphs and the Storyboarding process that pieced the game into what is fully playable today from SEGA. We do have a full review of the game in process which you should look out for in the coming days ahead.

The book offers an in-depth look at the design and construction of the Sevastopol Space Station, noting how if something could not have been built on the original movie set in 1979 then it has no place in the game. Covering its vast infrastructure and signature three towers, the artists detail the challenges faced on initial concepts and how the games character, Amanda Ripley follows in the footsteps of her mother through the eerie corridors and abandoned vents before a spine chilling face-off with the Xenomorph – the unpredictable, terrifying creature that is the Alien!

The Art of Alien Isolation, really covers a lot of inspiration that was taken from the movie and gives reference to dramatic illustrations from the artists who helped set the tone of the fear factor in the game itself. Referring back to the Sevastopol Space Station, it is meticulously complex in its structure with the ability to house 3000 residents. Now at just a population of just 500, law and order is on the verge of collapse with the art book allowing you to visually see the main three towers in more detail covering the accommodation, the Technical tower and the Science Tower that is home to hospital labs and research facilities. Although for movie buff’s or complete die-hard fans of Alien, you will know that there was four towers in the original space station, and the book gives a great account into how artists and designers broke down each environment, area and concluded that for the game, three main towers were needed for the habitation, science and technology areas with engineering in lower decks.

There is just an incredible story of inter-weaved design processes that you do not get any information about generally with a lack of awareness to the efforts and lengths that skilled artists resort to, to give gamers everything they need to enjoy a game. This book is an eye opener in terms of the complexity and processes applied to delivering the art direction. Not only is the art book beautiful to look at, page after page, but when you learn more about the development process of Alien Isolation, you really begin to appreciate the hard work into creating digital fictional worlds where we take for granted the problematical and challenging situations designers face in the concept process. Without art books like this and many others that Titan Books publish, we may never get the opportunity to see the work previously that went into the development from an artistic perspective. Not only is it a great read if you’ve never even played the game (because the game is not being reviewed by myself personally) but I found the Art of Alien Isolation additionally a great way to compare movie-to-game transitions.

The Art of Alien Isolation is a stunning collection of the art featured in the hit SEGA game and is well presented, documented and a fantastic insight into how everything shapes together to become the dark, horror setting that you will play in the videogame. The book would make an ideal gift for any Alien gaming fan or a superb purchase if you’re looking to expand your collection of gaming memorabilia.

You can search to buy this book online or visit Titan Books website, and look out for our Alien Isolation game review soon!

Founder of ThisisXbox.com (owner from 2010 - 2014), now writer and reviewer with an interest in writing thriller fiction. Two addictions; Diet Coke and Call of Duty. All views expressed everywhere are my own and not that of my employer!